Letter to the editor
Help for winemakers, markets
Dear Editor: Thanks to the hard work of local advocates, farmers and winemakers, the state Senate recently passed a bill that will have a major impact on local wineries and farmers. Now, it’s up to the Assembly, which will consider the bill soon.
The Senate bill, S.4242A, authorizes the sale of wine produced by farms, wineries or micro-wineries at licensed roadside farm markets. This means that more local products will be available to shoppers in the area, opening up a new avenue of business for companies that are an integral part of a proud tradition of excellence in the Hudson Valley.
In addition to the many wineries and vineyards in our region, the bill has the full support of the Hudson Valley Food and Beverage Alliance, a group that promotes and represents the wide range of organizations in the food and beverage industry that call our area home. Leading the way in this sector is the winemaking industry, which traces its roots in this region back hundreds of years.
For generations, winemakers have supported local families and communities. We feel that it’s time for New York to do what it can to ensure a bright future for these companies that mean so much to the Hudson Valley. This effort serves as a way to boost business for these organizations, as well as allow them to hire more employees as they grow their brands.
The bill itself takes action by amending current alcoholic beverage control laws in order to allow for the sale of wine produced by small farms, wineries and micro-wineries at roadside farm markets, as long as the stand is within 20 miles of where the wine is produced. Those of us in support of the measure think it makes sense due to the fact that local wines are derived from agricultural products grown right here in New York.
While the bill expands local vineyards’ abilities to market to a new customer base, it still requires regulations that ensure the responsible sale of alcoholic beverages at farm stands. These stands will be supervised by the State Liquor Authority, and they will be able to sell wines from a maximum of two wineries each. Tastings will also not be allowed, as stands may only offer wine by the bottle.
In addition to winemakers, the bill also benefits farm markets themselves, as it gives the farmers who run them another locally grown product to sell — one with the potential to attract more customers to their stands. We know that buying local helps the communities here in the Hudson Valley, and this measure will help foster more of those types of purchases.
With some fairly small adjustments to state law, we have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on a local industry that we take pride in throughout the region. It’s a common-sense approach that allows us to do a great thing for both wineries and farmers.
We encourage all citizens to express their support of this positive effort as it approaches the Assembly. If enacted, it will have great short-term and long-term effects on the outstanding winemaking industry we’re fortunate to have in the Hudson Valley. WILLIAM J. LARKIN Jr. MIKE OATES New Windsor Larkin, R-new Windsor, represents District 39 in the state Senate. Oates is CEO and president of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.